runs in streaks

[Mike Hussey]

Shelley says to John:

Bad luck, that's all it was. I pray in your life you never find that it runs in streaks. That's what it's doing, that's all it does. I pray that it misses you, and that's all I have to say.

What does "it runs in streaks" mean?

Source: Glengarry Glen Ross (a 1992 American drama film adapted by David Mamet from his 1984 Pulitzer Prize–winning play of the same name, and directed by James Foley)

 

[jutfrank]

What dictionary work have you already done on this, Mike?

I'm asking because we'd like to try and equip you with the skills to find the answers out for yourself.


(You've been watching some very good films lately, by the way. :up

 

[Mike Hussey]

What dictionary work have you already done on this, Mike?

I'm asking because we'd like to try and equip you with the skills to find the answers out for yourself.


(You've been watching some very good films lately, by the way. :up

running streak is when you run every day without fail?

 

[jutfrank]

Try searching with respect to luck.

 

[Mike Hussey]

comes in patterns = runs in streaks.? "Runs in streaks" would be an uneducated way of putting it -- so it helps define the speaker of words like that?

 

[GoesStation]

comes in patterns = runs in streaks.? "Runs in streaks" would be an uneducated way of putting it -- so it helps define the speaker of words like that?

Have you seen a reference that suggests saying something runs in streaks indicates a lack of education?

 

[Mike Hussey]

It means that there are periods of time where something is happening that doesn't happen all the time.

Example: "I had a streak of bad luck, thank God it runs in streaks instead of staying with me forever. I couldn't do this all the time"

 

[GoesStation]

It means that there are periods of time where something is happening that doesn't happen all the time.

Example: "I had a streak of bad luck, thank God it runs in streaks instead of staying with me forever. I couldn't do this all the time"

That's right.

People don't naturally grasp probability theory, which tells us that streaks are a perceived phenomenon that does not really exist. The character believes in them, though.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Yes, you've got it now. Some related expressions:

- a lucky streak
- a run of bad luck
- a streak of bad luck
- a streak of good luck
- a good-luck streak
- a winning streak
- a losing streak

 

[Tarheel]

Gamblers believe in luck.

 

[Rover_KE]

Does running streak mean that you run every day without fail?

Note the correct way to ask your question.

 

[Tarheel]

running streak is when you run every day without fail?

A: Is a running streak running every day without fail?
B: I would call it a habit.

 

[probus]

I don't think running every day is a streak, Mike. Streak is mostly used when there is uncertainty, as in competition or gambling. Since running each day is just a choice, the only uncertainty is whether a person decides to run on a given day. It's not wrong to say "I'm on a streak. I've gone for a run 30 days in a row." It's just not usual to use streak in such a context.